Just recently, we planted three eastern red cedars in a wooded area behind our home. Within minutes, the pleasing aroma from the cedars filled my nose, reminding me of childhood days and fresh-cut Christmas trees.

After all, nothing says happy holidays like a fresh-cut tree filling the house with the fragrance of cedar or pine.

When I was a child growing up in a rural part of Lynchburg, my father and mother never went to a Christmas tree lot. Instead, Dad spent a morning with a chainsaw hunting down a perfect tree in the woods around our house. Even when my sisters and I were grown, Mom still insisted on a cedar tree, oftentimes hunted down on property Dad found outside Williamsburg.

Eastern red cedars are trees native to Virginia and are common among many of its counties and cities, including Hampton Roads. They also make ideal backyard trees for the benefit of songbirds who love to dine on the berries that female cedars produce.

Even if there are no woods to give you a fresh-cut tree, you still can venture to the countryside to choose and cut your own tree at one of several nearby Christmas tree farms.

Or you can make shopping for a Christmas tree a family outing at local garden centers, most of which carry Virginia- and North Carolina-grown trees.

This year's Virginia Grown Christmas Tree Guide, which lists choose-and-cut, fresh-cut and live growers alphabetically by county, is available online at VirginiaGrown.com.

What makes the perfect tree?

There is no such thing as a perfect yard tree but there is a "perfect Christmas tree" because you envision it laden with twinkling lights, shiny tinsel and heirloom ornaments.

"The perfect tree is in the eyes of the beholder," says Shirley Nelson of the Zuni Tree and Alpaca Farm in Isle of Wight County.

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"If you want a tree that will last, check the needles and make sure that they hold tight. There will be a few to come loose but not a whole handful. Always check the water every day and make sure the tree stand does not run out of water. Once this happens, the trunk of the tree will seal over and not take in water. The Christmas tree will dry out and may not last till Christmas morning."

With regard to tree type, Fraser fir, a species native to East Coast mountains, makes one of the best trees because its stiff, sturdy branches hold ornaments and lights nicely, and the tree is not prone to shedding its needles after a few days in the house.

"We sell Fraser firs because we believe they are the absolute best Christmas tree available, due to their dense, pyramidal growth habit, strong branches and fantastic needle retention," says Jake Van Dyke in trees and shrubs at McDonald Garden Center in Hampton.

Choose-and-cut tree farms

In the Zuni area of Isle of Wight County, the aromas of Scotch and white pines mingle with the aromas of cedar and cypress at the Zuni Tree and Alpaca Farm.

"We hear about families coming out here for years, and (they) just enjoy picking out their tree and enjoying the farm," says Nelson.

Fresh-cut Fraser firs are individually priced. Fresh-made wreaths, $14.50 and $19, and alpaca products are located in the farm shop (cash or credit cards, no checks).

Tree farm hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; closed Monday-Thursday this week; open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, Fridays and Mondays; then noon to 5 p.m. weekdays starting Nov. 28 until sold out. The farm, located at 19362 Tomlin Hill Drive, closes when trees are sold out, so call 757-242-4780 before coming.

In James City County, Mill Farm Christmas Trees sells a variety of choose-and-cut trees for about $5 per foot for white pine, about $6 per foot for Leyland cypress and about $7 per foot for spruce and fir. Pre-cut Fraser firs 7-8 feet tall are about $40 each. Fresh wreaths are handmade daily in different sizes and shapes, priced accordingly. The farm, at 4900 Fenton Mill Road, is open 9 a.m. to dark Saturdays and Sundays, including the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas; before heading there, call 757-566-2035.

Fresh-made wreaths, roping and bouquets also are sold; tree drilling for special stands are built and sold. Winter Red and Autumn Gold berry sprigs are $5 per pound. Assistants help bale and carry trees to vehicles; saws and twine provided. Free hot chocolate and candy canes for kids. Pets allowed on leash. Cash and check only. Call 757-751-3726.

In Virginia Beach, Bright's Christmas Tree Farm offers cut-your-own long-needled white pines for $7 per foot and limited numbers of Norway spruces and Douglas firs for $12 per foot. The farm, at 643 Princess Anne Road, provides saws and twine. Owners prefer cash but will accept local checks. The farm is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 26 until sold out. Check availability at 757-426-7832.

"Sizes range from table top and 4 feet to 12 feet. Unless fuel prices go crazy in the next few weeks, we should be able to keep our prices the same as last year — starting at $29.99. We also offer wreaths, roping, swags, mail box huggers and pre-order custom center pieces. This year we also have potted 3-gallon blue spruces at $79.99."

Countryside Gardens, located at 220 E. Mercury Blvd. in Hampton, also offers a "pick-and-pay program" where you pick and pay for the perfect tree early and pick it up when you want. The garden center keeps each tree hydrated; Garden Reward members get a free removal bag with their purchase. Call 757-722-9909.

Also in Hampton, McDonald Garden Center features pre-cut Fraser firs in tabletop sizes up to 10 feet, $29.98 to $169. Fresh wreaths 20 inches and up start at $19.98. Fresh roping starts at $14.98; a small door swag called a Greeter Charm is $5.98. The garden center is at 1139 W. Pembroke Ave. Call 757-722-7463.

In Newport News, Dean and Don's Farm Market sells Fraser firs 4 to 12 feet for $25 and up, with free delivery available. White and Scotch pines are $35 to $45. Evergreen wreaths from mixes of Fraser fir, boxwood and pine will be available in many sizes and looks. The market is at 12601 Warwick Blvd. The tree lot is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Trucks with fresh-cut trees arrive regularly. Call 757-570-1951.

Also in Newport News, Anderson's Home and Garden Showplace sells fresh-cut Fraser firs from 24-inch tabletop styles to 15-foot-tall trees, $29 and up. Trees are located indoors. Anderson's is located at 11250 Jefferson Ave., near Harpersville Road; call 757-599-3510 or visit loveandersons.com.

In York County, Charlie's Produce and Nursery, 7628 George Washington Memorial Highway, or Route 17 near Fort Eustis Boulevard, sells pre-cut Fraser firs, pines and firs for $28 and up, depending on size. He also sells colorful flocked trees and will do custom-order flocking, all for an extra fee. Fraser fir wreaths 6-36 inches are $9.99 to $38.99. Handcrafted nativity scenes and other holiday décor are sold. Charlie's is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Call 757-890-3000.

Plantable trees

A balled-and-burlapped evergreen you use for a few days as a Christmas tree and then plant in your yard adds to your holiday memories, as well as your landscape.

Also in Hampton, McDonald Garden Center sells plantable Christmas trees that include Alberta spruce, $24.99 and up, Norway spruce $139 and up; and arborvitae for $39.99 and up, depending on size.

Plantable Christmas trees also are sold at Anderson's Home and Garden Showplace in Newport News and Ken Mathews Garden Center in York County.

A plantable Christmas tree should also be kept moist and never kept indoors too long — five days is the most time recommended, according to gardening experts. The tree can be kept in a garage a few days before going indoors and again before planting time.

Contact Kathy at kvanmullekom@aol.com or follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/KathyHoganVanMullekom.

Give a Christmas tree to a military family in the United States or overseas with a $30 donation to Trees for Troops. Drop of a donation at McDonald Garden Center on Pembroke Avenue in Hampton or online at mcdonaldgardencenter.com/shop-online/trees-troops; donate by phone by calling 757-722-7463.